MULTAN, Oct 3: A fighting century by Asim Ijaz prevented an early finish to the National Junior (Under-19) Grade-I Cricket Championship final between Lahore Blues and Karachi Whites at Multan Cricket Stadium here Thursday.

Asim’s gallant 107 helped Lahore Blues recover from 106 for five to 288 all out in their second innings on the penultimate day of the four-day clash.

Speedster Tabish Khan was the day’s other hero. He captured six for 82 in 32 overs and a match haul of eight for 130.

Karachi Whites, needing 155 for an outright victory, were 12 for no loss at stumps.

Having already conceded a first innings lead of 134 Wednesday, Lahore Blues ran into early trouble this morning after resuming at 54 for two. They lost three wickets for the addition of 52 runs to Tabish.

But then a resilient sixth-wicket stand between Asim and Shahnawaz produced 75 runs with the latter contributing 45.

Asim found another useful ally in Azhar Ali, top-scorer in the first innings, who helped him put on 54 for the seventh wicket. Azhar made 23.